The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has vowed to oppose any development on kunanyi/Mt Wellington that would result in the destruction of the “sacred mountain”.
Nala Mansell, the centre’s campaign coordinator, criticised proposed developments like tourist attractions with zip lines and a cable car during an interview on Local Radio on Monday.
She said it was “terrible” that the mountain has been the subject of one “massive big fight after another”.
“We saved kunanyi from this horrible cable car. Now … they’re talking about zip lines and so many other things,” she said.
“I just wish non-Aboriginal people or the government could completely understand the natural beauty … You can love the natural beauty of something without having to get so close to it that it must be destroyed.”
When asked if she would consider developing the mountain differently if Aboriginal people were given management of the land, Mansell said no.
“I think the government should definitely employ Aboriginal rangers … to explain the cultural, heritage significance of kunanyi but certainly no deals where we’d see such a magnificent, untouched, sacred mountain be destroyed in order to get those jobs,” she said.
Her comments come as the state government begins a review of the mountain, which attracts around 410,000 visitors each year.
The review will take place over the next 12 months and consider potential transport options, upgrades to infrastructure and ways to manage environmental and cultural aspects.
“We’ll continue that fight to ensure that kunanyi is protected,” Mansell said.
